Body-rest and bed-pan



(No Model.)

J. J. .BOWKER. BODY REST AND BED PAN.

No. 566,724. Patented Aug. 25, 1896.

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- UNITED STATES PATENT Omens.

JAMES J. BOVVKER, OF WEST MANSFIELD, OHIO.

BODY-REST AND BED-PAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 566,724, dated August 25, 1896. Application filed July 29, 1895. $eriel No. 557,533 (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES J. BOWKER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of West Mansfield, in the county of Logan and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Body-Rests and Bed-Pans, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain im provements in pneumatic cushions and bed-pans for use in surgical operations and obstetrics.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device inflated. Fig. 2 is a side view of my device, showing the operation of my bellows-hinge. Fig. 3 is a sectional view through my bedpan, showing the inflated rim and bottom of the pan.

The construction of my device is as follows: On a thick rubber base or blanket A is mounted a hollow air-cushion B, extending across the base at the front, in the shape shown, to form a rest for the hips, and around the edge of the other end of the base, as shown at O, to form a bed-pan. The top of the rest B is made concave to accommodate it to the shape of the patient occupying it, and the raised cushioned sides D and E, which are made heavier than the rest, prevent the patient from rolling or sliding off the rest during any contortions or struggiin g accompanyin g an operation or delivery.

When used in obstetrics, the cushion after being inflated is placed so that the patients hips rest upon the partB or cushion, the other end extending out and forming a bed-pan, the inflated sides O forming the sides of the pan.

When used in surgical operations where the operator must be close to the patient, the patient is placed upon the part B, as above stated, crosswise of the bed or operating-table and the pan drops down out of the operators way, as shown in Fig. 2. This is acoomplished by locating about midway of my device in the cushion-rim O a hollow bellows joint Gr, which, when my rest is used on atable or bed, folds together, allowing the rest and pan to assume the position shown in Fig. 1, the stiffening-piece H holding the joint G together, but when the pan is extended beyond the edge of the bed or table it assumes the position shown in Fig. 2, out of the way of the operator, and the drippings flow down underneath and against the rim O of the pan.

Underneath the rest in a slide in the same is a detachable stiffening-piece H, which is used when my device is used on a bed or other soft surface to prevent the doubling of the pan, but which can be taken out at will.

Then the stiffening-piece H is withdrawn from its slide on the bottom of the rest and pan, the pressure of the air within the rest distends the bellows-hinge and forces the rear of the pan O down at right angles with the rest, as shown in Fig.

At the front end of my device is a tube through which the rest and rim of the pan are inflated.

The elevated sides D E of the rest are so formed that when the air is allowed to escape they fold over the concave part, so that the whole can be folded or rolled up in a convenient bundle for carrying.

K is a valve for emptying the pan.

Across and underneath the bottom of my rest is a stiffening-piece L, that prevents the rest doubling or twisting sidewise when the device is used on a feather-bed or other soft surface.

Vhat I claim is 1. In a body-rest and bed-pan, the concave rest 13, the bed-pan formed of base A, and cushioned rim 0, and the bellows-joint G, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a body-rest and bed-pan, the rest B the bed-pan formed of base A, and cushion ed rim O and the bellows-joint G as and for the purpose set forth.

JAMES J BO\VKER.

Witn esses P. M. KELLER, DAVID SUPLER. 

